Methods and Compositions for Classifying and Treating Lung Cancer

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This invention relates to methods and compositions for use in classifying and treating lung cancer (e.g., small cell lung cancer (SCLC)) in a patient.

Cancer remains one of the deadliest threats to human health. Cancers, or malignant tumors, metastasize and grow rapidly in an uncontrolled manner, making timely detection and treatment extremely difficult. In the U.S., cancer affects nearly 1.3 million new patients each year, and is the second leading cause of death after heart disease, accounting for approximately 1 in 4 deaths. Solid tumors are responsible for most of those deaths.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy that accounts for approximately 15% of all lung cancers. There are two types of SCLC: limited-stage (LS)-SCLC and extensive-stage (ES)-SCLC, and at the time of diagnosis it is estimated that approximately 70% of patients have ES-SCLC. The long-term prognosis of patients with ES-SCLC is poor, and the relapse rate is high, with ˜75% of patients having locally advanced disease and over 90% of patients progressing within two years of treatment.

Thus, there is an unmet need in the field for improved diagnostic and therapeutic methods that identify patients likely to benefit from an anti-cancer therapy, e.g., treatment comprising a PD-1 axis binding antagonist.

The present disclosure provides, inter alia, methods of classifying lung cancer (e.g., SCLC, e.g., ES-SCLC or LS-SCLC, including in the first-line (1L) treatment setting), methods of treating lung cancer, and related kits, compositions for use, uses, and systems (e.g., digital pathology systems). In one aspect, the invention features a method of classifying a small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in a human patient, the method comprising (a) assaying mRNA in a tumor sample from the patient to provide a transcriptional profile of the patient's tumor; and (b) assigning the patient's tumor sample into one of the following four subtypes based on the transcriptional profile of the patient's tumor: neuroendocrine inflamed (NE-I), neuroendocrine NEUROD-driven (NE-N), neuroendocrine achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1)-driven (NE-A), or non-neuroendocrine inflamed (nNE-I), thereby classifying the SCLC in the patient.

In some aspects, step (b) comprises assigning the patient's tumor sample into one of the following four subtypes using a machine learning classifier based on the transcriptional profile of the patient's tumor: NE-I, NE-N, NE-A, or nNE-I.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating an SCLC in a human patient, the method comprising: classifying the SCLC in the patient according to any one of the methods disclosed herein; and administering an anti-cancer therapy to the patient based on the SCLC subtype. In one aspect, the anti-cancer therapy comprises atezolizumab.

In another aspect, the invention features an anti-cancer therapy for use in treating an SCLC in a human patient, wherein the SCLC in the patient has been classified according to any one of the methods disclosed herein. In one aspect, the anti-cancer therapy comprises atezolizumab.

In another aspect, the invention features the use of an anti-cancer therapy in the preparation of a medicament for treating an SCLC in a human patient, wherein the SCLC in the patient has been classified according to any one of the methods disclosed herein. In one aspect, the anti-cancer therapy comprises atezolizumab.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of identifying a patient having an SCLC who is likely to benefit from an anti-cancer therapy comprising atezolizumab, the method comprising: determining the expression level of a T-eff signature comprising CD8A, GZBA, GZMB, PRF1, IFNG, CXCL9, CXCL10, and TBX21 and the expression level of a TAM signature comprising MARCO, ACP5, VSIG4, MRC1, MSR1, MCEMP1, CYP27A1, OLR1, GRN, GLIPR2, ARRDC4, C1QC, APOE, FOLR2, CTSD, and SPP1 in a tumor sample from the patient, wherein an increased expression level of the T-eff signature relative to a reference expression level and a decreased expression level of the TAM signature relative to a reference expression level identifies the patient as one who is likely to benefit from an anti-cancer therapy comprising atezolizumab.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of selecting a therapy for a patient having an SCLC, the method comprising: (a) determining the expression level of a T-eff signature comprising CD8A, GZBA, GZMB, PRF1, IFNG, CXCL9, CXCL10, and TBX21 and the expression level of a TAM signature comprising MARCO, ACP5, VSIG4, MRC1, MSR1, MCEMP1, CYP27A1, OLR1, GRN, GLIPR2, ARRDC4, C1QC, APOE, FOLR2, CTSD, and SPP1 in a tumor sample from the patient, wherein an increased expression level of the T-eff signature relative to a reference expression level and a decreased expression level of the TAM signature relative to a reference expression level identifies the patient as one who is likely to benefit from an anti-cancer therapy comprising atezolizumab; and (b) selecting an anti-cancer therapy comprising atezolizumab for the patient identified as one who is likely to benefit from the anti-cancer therapy.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating a patient having an SCLC, the method comprising: (a) determining the expression level of a T-eff signature comprising CD8A, GZBA, GZMB, PRF1, IFNG, CXCL9, CXCL10, and TBX21 and the expression level of a TAM signature comprising MARCO, ACP5, VSIG4, MRC1, MSR1, MCEMP1, CYP27A1, OLR1, GRN, GLIPR2, ARRDC4, C1QC, APOE, FOLR2, CTSD, and SPP1 in a tumor sample from the patient, wherein an increased expression level of the T-eff signature relative to a reference expression level and a decreased expression level of the TAM signature relative to a reference expression level identifies the patient as one who is likely to benefit from an anti-cancer therapy comprising atezolizumab; and (b) administering an anti-cancer therapy comprising atezolizumab to the patient identified as one who is likely to benefit from the anti-cancer therapy.

In another aspect, the invention features a method of treating a patient having an SCLC, the method comprising administering an anti-cancer therapy comprising atezolizumab to the patient, wherein the patient has been determined to have an increased expression level, relative to a reference expression level, of a T-eff signature comprising CD8A, GZBA, GZMB, PRF1, IFNG, CXCL9, CXCL10, and TBX21 and a decreased expression level, relative to a reference expression level, of a TAM signature comprising MARCO, ACP5, VSIG4, MRC1, MSR1, MCEMP1, CYP27A1, OLR1, GRN, GLIPR2, ARRDC4, C1QC, APOE, FOLR2, CTSD, and SPP1 in a tumor sample from the patient.

In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy includes a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., an anti-PD-L1 antibody, e.g., atezolizumab). In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy includes atezolizumab. In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy includes a CTLA4 antagonist (e.g., an anti-CTLA4 antibody). In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy comprising a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., atezolizumab) further comprises carboplatin and etoposide. In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy includes a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., atezolizumab) and a DNA damage response (DDR)-targeting agent (e.g., an anti-delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) or an anti-DLL3 bispecific T cell engager (BiTE)). In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy includes a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., atezolizumab) and a myeloid repolarization agent (e.g., a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist). In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy includes a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., atezolizumab) and one or more additional agents (e.g., a REST-targeted therapy). In some aspects, the anti-cancer therapy includes a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., atezolizumab) and one or more additional agents (e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent, or a combination thereof).

In another aspect, the invention features a kit for performing any one of the methods disclosed herein. In some aspects, the kit comprises (a) reagents for assaying mRNA in a tumor sample from the patient to provide a transcriptional profile of the patient's tumor; and (b) instructions for assigning the patient's tumor sample into following four subtypes based on the transcriptional profile of the patient's tumor: NE-I, NE-N, NE-A, or nNE-1, thereby classifying the SCLC.

The present invention provides diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions for cancer, for example, lung cancer (e.g., SCLC, e.g., ES-SCLC or LS-SCLC, including in the first-line (1L) treatment setting). The invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that the methods of classification described herein identify patient subgroups that have unexpectedly favorable response to anti-cancer therapies, including anti-cancer therapies that include a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., an anti-PD-L1 antibody, e.g., atezolizumab), as shown in Example 1. Moreover, Example 1 demonstrates that the methods of classification herein are expected to be effective for identifying patient subgroups for a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., an anti-PD-L1 antibody, e.g., atezolizumab) in combination with other anti-cancer therapies, such carboplatin and etoposide. Based on these data, it is expected that the methods of classification described herein can also identify patient subgroups with favorable response to a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., an anti-PD-L1 antibody, e.g., atezolizumab), alone or in combination with other anti-cancer therapies.

The term “anti-cancer therapy” refers to a therapy useful in treating cancer. An anti-cancer therapy may include a treatment regimen with one or more anti-cancer therapeutic agents. Examples of anti-cancer therapeutic agents include, but are limited to, an immunotherapy agent (e.g., a PD-1 axis binding antagonist), a cytotoxic agent, a chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., carboplatin) and/or a topoisomerase inhibitor (e.g., etoposide)), a growth inhibitory agent, a stromal inhibitor, a metabolism inhibitor, a complement antagonist, a radiation therapy agent, an anti-angiogenic agent, an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), and other agents to treat cancer. Combinations thereof are also included in the invention.

An “immunoconjugate” or “antibody drug conjugate” or “ADC” is an antibody conjugated to one or more heterologous molecule(s), including but not limited to a cytotoxic agent. Exemplary, non-limiting antibody drug conjugates include anti-HER2 antibody drug conjugates (anti-HER2 ADC) (e.g., trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1, ado-trastuzumab emtansine, KADCYLA®, Genentech), trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a, T-DXd, ENHERTU®, Gilead), trastuzumab duocarmazine (SYD985, Byondis), A166, XMT-1522, MEDI-4276, ARX788, RC48-ADC, BAT8001, PF-06804103) and anti-TROP2 antibody drug conjugates (anti-TROP2 ADC) (e.g., sacituzumab govitecan (TRODELVY®, Gilead), datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd, DS-1062a, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca), BAT8003 (Biothera)). Exemplary, non-limiting antibody drug conjugates are described in Criscitiello et al.14:20 (2021).

The term “PD-1 axis binding antagonist” refers to a molecule that inhibits the interaction of a PD-1 axis binding partner with either one or more of its binding partners, so as to remove T-cell dysfunction resulting from signaling on the PD-1 signaling axis, with a result being to restore or enhance T-cell function (e.g., proliferation, cytokine production, and/or target cell killing). As used herein, a PD-1 axis binding antagonist includes a PD-L1 binding antagonist, a PD-1 binding antagonist, and a PD-L2 binding antagonist. In some instances, the PD-1 axis binding antagonist includes a PD-L1 binding antagonist or a PD-1 binding antagonist. In a preferred aspect, the PD-1 axis binding antagonist is a PD-L1 binding antagonist.

The term “PD-L1 binding antagonist” refers to a molecule that decreases, blocks, inhibits, abrogates, or interferes with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-L1 with either one or more of its binding partners, such as PD-1 and/or B7-1. In some instances, a PD-L1 binding antagonist is a molecule that inhibits the binding of PD-L1 to its binding partners. In a specific aspect, the PD-L1 binding antagonist inhibits binding of PD-L1 to PD-1 and/or B7-1. In some instances, the PD-L1 binding antagonists include anti-PD-L1 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, immunoadhesins, fusion proteins, oligopeptides and other molecules that decrease, block, inhibit, abrogate or interfere with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-L1 with one or more of its binding partners, such as PD-1 and/or B7-1. In one instance, a PD-L1 binding antagonist reduces the negative co-stimulatory signal mediated by or through cell surface proteins expressed on T lymphocytes mediated signaling through PD-L1 so as to render a dysfunctional T-cell less dysfunctional (e.g., enhancing effector responses to antigen recognition). In some instances, the PD-L1 binding antagonist binds to PD-L1. In some instances, a PD-L1 binding antagonist is an anti-PD-L1 antibody (e.g., an anti-PD-L1 antagonist antibody). Exemplary anti-PD-L1 antagonist antibodies include atezolizumab, MDX-1105, MEDI4736 (durvalumab), MSB0010718C (avelumab), SHR-1316, CS1001, envafolimab, TQB2450, ZKAB001, LP-002, CX-072, IMC-001, KL-A167, APL-502, cosibelimab, lodapolimab, FAZ053, TG-1501, BGB-A333, BCD-135, AK-106, LDP, GR1405, HLX20, MSB2311, RC98, PDL-GEX, KD036, KY1003, YBL-007, and HS-636. In some aspects, the anti-PD-L1 antibody is atezolizumab, MDX-1105, MEDI4736 (durvalumab), or MSB0010718C (avelumab). In one specific aspect, the PD-L1 binding antagonist is MDX-1105. In another specific aspect, the PD-L1 binding antagonist is MEDI4736 (durvalumab). In another specific aspect, the PD-L1 binding antagonist is MSB0010718C (avelumab). In other aspects, the PD-L1 binding antagonist may be a small molecule, e.g., GS-4224, INCB086550, MAX-10181, INCB090244, CA-170, or ABSK041, which in some instances may be administered orally. Other exemplary PD-L1 binding antagonists include AVA-004, MT-6035, VXM10, LYN192, GB7003, and JS-003. In a preferred aspect, the PD-L1 binding antagonist is atezolizumab.

The term “PD-1 binding antagonist” refers to a molecule that decreases, blocks, inhibits, abrogates or interferes with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-1 with one or more of its binding partners, such as PD-L1 and/or PD-L2. PD-1 (programmed death 1) is also referred to in the art as “programmed cell death 1,” “PDCD1,” “CD279,” and “SLEB2.” An exemplary human PD-1 is shown in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Accession No. Q15116. In some instances, the PD-1 binding antagonist is a molecule that inhibits the binding of PD-1 to one or more of its binding partners. In a specific aspect, the PD-1 binding antagonist inhibits the binding of PD-1 to PD-L1 and/or PD-L2. For example, PD-1 binding antagonists include anti-PD-1 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, immunoadhesins, fusion proteins, oligopeptides, and other molecules that decrease, block, inhibit, abrogate or interfere with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-1 with PD-L1 and/or PD-L2. In one instance, a PD-1 binding antagonist reduces the negative co-stimulatory signal mediated by or through cell surface proteins expressed on T lymphocytes mediated signaling through PD-1 so as render a dysfunctional T-cell less dysfunctional (e.g., enhancing effector responses to antigen recognition). In some instances, the PD-1 binding antagonist binds to PD-1. In some instances, the PD-1 binding antagonist is an anti-PD-1 antibody (e.g., an anti-PD-1 antagonist antibody). Exemplary anti-PD-1 antagonist antibodies include nivolumab, pembrolizumab, MEDI-0680, PDR001 (spartalizumab), REGN2810 (cemiplimab), BGB-108, prolgolimab, camrelizumab, sintilimab, tislelizumab, toripalimab, dostarlimab, retifanlimab, sasanlimab, penpulimab, CS1003, HLX10, SCT-110A, zimberelimab, balstilimab, genolimzumab, BI 754091, cetrelimab, YBL-006, BAT1306, HX008, budigalimab, AMG 404, CX-188, JTX-4014, 609A, Sym021, LZM009, F520, SG001, AM0001, ENUM 244C8, ENUM 388D4, STI-1110, AK-103, and hAb21. In a specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is MDX-1106 (nivolumab). In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is MK-3475 (pembrolizumab). In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is a PD-L2 Fc fusion protein, e.g., AMP-224. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is MED1-0680. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is PDR001 (spartalizumab). In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is REGN2810 (cemiplimab). In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is BGB-108. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is prolgolimab. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is camrelizumab. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is sintilimab. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is tislelizumab. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is toripalimab. Other additional exemplary PD-1 binding antagonists include BION-004, CB201, AUNP-012, ADG104, and LBL-006.

The term “PD-L2 binding antagonist” refers to a molecule that decreases, blocks, inhibits, abrogates or interferes with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-L2 with either one or more of its binding partners, such as PD-1. PD-L2 (programmed death ligand 2) is also referred to in the art as “programmed cell death 1 ligand 2,” “PDCD1LG2,” “CD273,” “B7-DC,” “Btdc,” and “PDL2.” An exemplary human PD-L2 is shown in UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot Accession No. Q9BQ51. In some instances, a PD-L2 binding antagonist is a molecule that inhibits the binding of PD-L2 to one or more of its binding partners. In a specific aspect, the PD-L2 binding antagonist inhibits binding of PD-L2 to PD-1. Exemplary PD-L2 antagonists include anti-PD-L2 antibodies, antigen binding fragments thereof, immunoadhesins, fusion proteins, oligopeptides and other molecules that decrease, block, inhibit, abrogate or interfere with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-L2 with either one or more of its binding partners, such as PD-1. In one aspect, a PD-L2 binding antagonist reduces the negative co-stimulatory signal mediated by or through cell surface proteins expressed on T lymphocytes mediated signaling through PD-L2 so as render a dysfunctional T-cell less dysfunctional (e.g., enhancing effector responses to antigen recognition). In some aspects, the PD-L2 binding antagonist binds to PD-L2. In some aspects, a PD-L2 binding antagonist is an immunoadhesin. In other aspects, a PD-L2 binding antagonist is an anti-PD-L2 antagonist antibody.

A “stromal inhibitor” refers to any molecule that partially or fully blocks, inhibits, or neutralizes a biological activity and/or function of a gene or gene product associated with stroma (e.g., tumor-associated stroma). In some embodiments, the stromal inhibitor partially or fully blocks, inhibits, or neutralizes a biological activity and/or function of a gene or gene product associated with fibrotic tumors. In some embodiments, treatment with a stromal inhibitor results in the reduction of stroma, thereby resulting in an increased activity of an immunotherapy; for example, by increasing the ability of activating immune cells (e.g., proinflammatory cells) to infiltrate a fibrotic tissue (e.g., a fibrotic tumor). Targets for stromal gene antagonists are known in the art; for example, see Turley et al.,15:669-682, 2015 and Rosenbloom et al.,1832:1088-1103, 2013. In some embodiments, the stromal inhibitor is a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), podoplanin (PDPN), leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor 1 (LAIR1), SMAD, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), endothelial-1 (ET-1), AP-1, interleukin (IL)-13, lysyl oxidase homolog 2 (LOXL2), endoglin (CD105), fibroblast activation protein (FAP), vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (CD106), thymocyte antigen 1 (THY1), beta 1 integrin (CD29), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), PDGF receptor A (PDGFRα), PDGF receptor B (PDGFRβ), vimentin, smooth muscle actin alpha (ACTA2), desmin, endosialin (CD248), or S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) antagonist.

A “TGF-β antagonist” or a “TGF-β inhibitor,” as used interchangeably herein, refers to any molecule that decreases, blocks, inhibits, abrogates or interferes with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of TGF-β with one or more of its interaction partners, such as a TGF-β cellular receptor. In some embodiments, a “TGF-β binding antagonist” is a molecule that inhibits the binding of TGF-β to its binding partners. In some embodiments, the TGF-β antagonist inhibits the activation of TGF-β. In some embodiments, the TGF-β antagonist includes an anti-TGF-β antibody, antigen binding fragments thereof, an immunoadhesin, a fusion protein, an oligopeptide, and other molecules that decrease, block, inhibit, abrogate or interfere with signal transduction resulting from the interaction of TGF-β with one or more of its interaction partners. In some embodiments, the TGF-β antagonist is a polypeptide, a small molecule, or a nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the TGF-β antagonist (e.g., the TGF-β binding antagonist) inhibits TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and/or TGF-β3. In some embodiments, the TGF-β antagonist (e.g., the TGF-β binding antagonist) inhibits TGF-β receptor-1 (TGFBR1), TGF-β receptor-2 (TGFBR2), and/or TGF-β receptor-3 (TGFBR3).

The terms “anti-TGF-β antibody” and “an antibody that binds to TGF-β” refer to an antibody that is capable of binding TGF-β with sufficient affinity such that the antibody is useful as a diagnostic and/or therapeutic agent in targeting TGF-β. In one embodiment, the extent of binding of an anti-TGF-β antibody to an unrelated, non-TGF-β protein is less than about 10% of the binding of the antibody to TGF-β as measured, for example, by a radioimmunoassay (RIA). In certain embodiments, an anti-TGF-β antibody binds to an epitope of TGF-β that is conserved among TGF-β from different species. In some embodiments, the anti-TGF-β antibody inhibits TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and/or TGF-β3. In some embodiments, the anti-TGF-β antibody inhibits TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. In some embodiments, the anti-TGF-β antibody is a pan-specific anti-TGF-β antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-TGF-β antibody may be any anti-TGF-β antibody disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,714 or in International Patent Application Nos. WO 92/00330, WO 92/08480, WO 95/26203, WO 97/13844, WO 00/066631, WO 05/097832, WO 06/086469, WO 05/010049, WO 06/116002, WO 07/076391, WO 12/167143, WO 13/134365, WO 14/164709, or WO 16/201282, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In particular embodiments, the anti-TGF-β antibody is fresolimumab, metelimumab, lerdelimumab, 1D11, 2G7, or a derivative thereof.

A “metabolism inhibitor” refers to any molecule that disrupts metabolism (e.g., basal metabolism), metabolic pathways and/or levels of metabolites of a cell (e.g., a cancer cell), either directly or indirectly. In some embodiments, a metabolism inhibitor may stimulate any change in metabolism (e.g., basal metabolism), metabolic pathways, and/or levels of metabolites of a cell. Metabolic pathways can include, but are not limited to, amino acid catabolismcellular respiration, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, fatty acid metabolism, electron transport chain (ETC) complex I activity, ETC complex II activity, ETC complex III activity, ETC complex IV activity, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, amino acid uptake, any catabolic pathway, any anabolic pathway, any amphibolic pathway, catabolismanabolism, gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, glycogenesis, the urea cycle, aminotransferase pathways, acetyl-CoA synthesis pathways, pentose phosphate pathway, fructolysis, galactolysis, glycosylation, beta oxidation, fatty acid degradation, fatty acid synthesis, steroid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, eicosanoid metabolism, ketosis, reverse cholesterol transport, glutamine/glutamate catabolismasparagine/aspartate catabolismalanine catabolismarginine, ornithine and proline catabolismserine catabolismthreonine catabolism glycine catabolismcysteine catabolismo methionine catabolismleucine, isoleucine and valine catabolismphenylalanine and tyrosine catabolismo lysine catabolismhistidine catabolismtryptophan catabolismor any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the metabolism inhibitor is a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 serine protease (PCSK9) inhibitor (e.g., an anti-PCSK9 antibody, e.g., alirocumab or evolocumab), fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitor (e.g., cerulenin, C75, isoniazid, or orlistat (tetrahydrolipstatin)), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) inhibitor (e.g., etomoxir), GLUT4 inhibitor (e.g., ritonavir, indinavir, or analogs or derivatives thereof), or OXPHOS inhibitor (e.g., compounds within the biguanide class of drugs, e.g., metformin, phenformin, buformin, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof).

An “angiogenesis inhibitor” or “anti-angiogenic agent” or “anti-angiogenesis agent,” as used interchangeably herein, refers to a small molecular weight substance (including tyrosine kinase inhibitors), a polynucleotide, a polypeptide, an isolated protein, a recombinant protein, an antibody, or conjugates or fusion proteins thereof, that inhibits angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, or undesirable vascular permeability, either directly or indirectly. It should be understood that the anti-angiogenesis agent includes those agents that bind and block the angiogenic activity of the angiogenic factor or its receptor. For example, an anti-angiogenesis agent is an antibody or other antagonist to an angiogenic agent as defined above, e.g., antibodies to VEGF-A or the VEGF-A receptor (e.g., KDR receptor or Flt-1 receptor), anti-PDGFR inhibitors such as GLEEVEC™ (imatinib mesylate). Anti-angiogenesis agents also include native angiogenesis inhibitors, e.g., angiostatin, endostatin, etc. See, for example, Klagsbrun and D'Amore,53:217-39 (1991); Streit and Detmar,22:3172-3179 (2003) (e.g., Table 3 listing anti-angiogenic therapy in malignant melanoma); Ferrara & Alitalo, Nature Medicine 5 (12): 1359-1364 (1999); Tonini et al.,22:6549-6556 (2003) and Sato8:200-206 (2003). In some examples, the angiogenesis inhibitor is an anti-VEGF antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, e.g., bevacizumab.

A “DNA damage response (DDR)-targeting agent” or “DDR-targeting agent” refers to any therapeutic agent that induces the DNA damage response of a cell (e.g., a cancer cell), either directly or indirectly. Exemplary, non-limiting DDR-targeting agents include an anti-delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3) antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) (e.g., Rova-T) or an anti-DLL3 bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) (e.g., AMG 757).

The term “immunotherapy agent” refers the use of a therapeutic agent that modulates an immune response. Exemplary, non-limiting immunotherapy agents include a PD-1 axis binding antagonist, a CTLA-4 antagonist (e.g., an anti-CTLA-4 antibody (e.g., ipilimumab)), a TIGIT antagonist (e.g., an anti-TIGIT antibody (e.g., tiragolumab)), PD1-IL2v (a fusion of an anti-PD-1 antibody and modified IL-2), PD1-LAG3, IL-15, anti-CCR8 (e.g., an anti-CCR8 antibody, e.g., FPA157), FAP-4-1BBL (fibroblast activation protein-targeted 4-1BBL agonist), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the immunotherapy agent is an immune checkpoint inhibitor. In some examples, the immunotherapy agent is a CD28, OX40, GITR, CD137, CD27, ICOS, HVEM, NKG2D, MICA, or 2B4 agonist or a CTLA-4, PD-1 axis, TIM-3, BTLA, VISTA, LAG-3, B7H4, CD96, TIGIT, or CD226 antagonist. Other particular immunotherapy agents include anti-TIGIT antibodies (e.g., tiragolumab) and antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CTLA-4 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD27 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD30 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD40 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-4-1BB antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-GITR antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-OX40 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TRAILR1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TRAILR2 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TWEAK antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TWEAKR antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-BRAF antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-MEK antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD33 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD20 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD52 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-A33 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-GD3 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-PSMA antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-Ceacan 1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-Galedin 9 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-HVEM antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-VISTA antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-B7 H4 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-HHLA2 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD155 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD80 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-BTLA antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD160 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD28 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD226 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CEACAM1 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TIM3 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD96 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD70 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD27 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-LIGHT antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD137 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-DR4 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CR5 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-FAS antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-CD95 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TRAIL antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-DR6 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-EDAR antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-NGFR antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-OPG antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-RANKL antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-LTBR antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-BCMA antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TACI antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-BAFFR antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-EDAR2 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, anti-TROY antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, and anti-RELT antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof.

The terms “programmed death ligand 1” and “PD-L1” refer herein to native sequence human PD-L1 polypeptide. Native sequence PD-L1 polypeptides are provided under UniProt Accession No. Q9NZQ7. For example, the native sequence PD-L1 may have the amino acid sequence as set forth in UniProt Accession No. Q9NZQ7-1 (isoform 1). In another example, the native sequence PD-L1 may have the amino acid sequence as set forth in UniProt Accession No. Q9NZQ7-2 (isoform 2). In yet another example, the native sequence PD-L1 may have the amino acid sequence as set forth in UniProt Accession No. Q9NZQ7-3 (isoform 3). PD-L1 is also referred to in the art as “programmed cell death 1 ligand 1,” “PDCD1LG1,” “CD274,” “B7-H,” and “PDL1.”

The Kabat numbering system is generally used when referring to a residue in the variable domain (approximately residues 1-107 of the light chain and residues 1-113 of the heavy chain) (e.g., Kabat et al.,5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)). The “EU numbering system” or “EU index” is generally used when referring to a residue in an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region (e.g., the EU index reported in Kabat et al., supra). The “EU index as in Kabat” refers to the residue numbering of the human IgG1 EU antibody.

For the purposes herein, “atezolizumab” is an Fc-engineered, humanized, non-glycosylated IgG1 kappa immunoglobulin that binds PD-L1 and comprises the heavy chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and the light chain sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. Atezolizumab comprises a single amino acid substitution (asparagine to alanine) at position 297 on the heavy chain (N297A) using EU numbering of Fc region amino acid residues, which results in a non-glycosylated antibody that has minimal binding to Fc receptors. Atezolizumab is also described in WHO Drug Information (International Nonproprietary Names for Pharmaceutical Substances), Proposed INN: List 112, Vol. 28, No. 4, published Jan. 16, 2015 (see page 485).

The term “cancer” refers to a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body. In some embodiments, the cancer is a lung cancer. In some embodiments, the lung cancer is an SCLC (e.g., ES-SCLC or LS-SCLC). The cancer may be locally advanced or metastatic. In some instances, the cancer is locally advanced. In other instances, the cancer is metastatic. In some instances, the cancer may be unresectable (e.g., unresectable locally advanced or metastatic cancer).

As used herein, “cluster” or “subtype,” as used interchangeably herein, refers to a subtype of a cancer (e.g., lung cancer (e.g., SCLC, e.g., ES-SCLC or LS-SCLC)) that is defined, e.g., transcriptionally (e.g., as assessed by RNA-seq or other techniques described herein) and/or by evaluation of somatic alterations. Cluster analysis can be used to identify subtypes of cancer by clustering samples (e.g., tumor samples) from patients having similar gene expression patterns and to find groups of genes that have similar expression profiles across different samples. A patient's sample (e.g., tumor sample) can be assigned into a cluster as described herein. In some examples, clusters are identified by non-negative matrix factorization (NMF); however, other clustering approaches are described herein and known in the art. In some examples, a patient's tumor sample is assigned into one of the following four subtypes based on the transcriptional profile of the patient's tumor: neuroendocrine inflamed (NE-I), neuroendocrine NEUROD-driven (NE-N), neuroendocrine achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1)-driven (NE-A), or non-neuroendocrine inflamed (nNE-I). A patient's tumor sample may be assigned into a cluster as described herein using methods described herein, e.g., using a classifier as described herein (e.g., the set of genes set forth in Table 1 or a subset thereof).

As used herein, “treating” comprises effective cancer treatment with an effective amount of a therapeutic agent (e.g., a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., atezolizumab) or combination of therapeutic agents (e.g., a PD-1 axis antagonist and one or more additional therapeutic agents). Treating herein includes, inter alia, adjuvant therapy, neoadjuvant therapy, non-metastatic cancer therapy (e.g., locally advanced cancer therapy), and metastatic cancer therapy. The treatment may be first-line (also referred to as “1L”) treatment (e.g., the patient may be previously untreated or not have received prior systemic therapy), second-line (also referred to as “2L”), or later (2L+) treatment (e.g., third-line or fourth-line treatment). In some examples, the treatment may be first-line treatment (e.g., the patient may be previously untreated or not have received prior systemic therapy). In some examples, the patient is chemotherapy naïve. In some examples, the treatment may be 2L or later (2L+) treatment. In some examples, the treatment is adjuvant therapy. In other examples, the treatment is neoadjuvant therapy.

Herein, an “effective amount” refers to the amount of a therapeutic agent (e.g., a PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., atezolizumab) or a combination of therapeutic agents (e.g., a PD-1 axis antagonist and one or more additional therapeutic agents), that achieves a therapeutic result. In some examples, the effective amount of a therapeutic agent or a combination of therapeutic agents is the amount of the agent or of the combination of agents that achieves a clinical endpoint of improved overall response rate (ORR), a complete response (CR), a pathological complete response (pCR), a partial response (PR), improved survival (e.g., disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS)), and/or improved duration of response (DOR). Improvement (e.g., in terms of response rate (e.g., ORR, CR, and/or PR), survival (e.g., PFS and/or OS), or DOR) may be relative to a suitable reference, for example, observation or a reference treatment (e.g., treatment that does not include the PD-1 axis binding antagonist (e.g., treatment with placebo)). In some instances, improvement (e.g., in terms of response rate (e.g., ORR, CR, and/or PR), survival (e.g., DFS, DSS, distant metastasis-free survival, PFS, and/or OS), DOR, and/or improved time to deterioration of function and QoL) may be relative to observation. In some instances, treatment with an anti-cancer therapy that includes atezolizumab may be compared with a reference treatment which is treatment with chemotherapy (e.g., carboplatin and/or etoposide).

As used herein, “complete response” and “CR” refers to disappearance of the cancer. In some examples, tumor response is assessed according to RECIST v1.1. For example, CR may be the disappearance of all target lesions and non-target lesions and (if applicable) normalization of tumor marker level or reduction in short axis of any pathological lymph nodes to <10 mm.

As used herein, “partial response” and “PR” refers to at least a 30% decrease in the sum of the longest diameters (SLD) of target lesions, taking as reference the baseline SLD prior to treatment. In some examples, tumor response is assessed according to RECIST v1.1. For example, PR may be a ≥30% decrease in the sum of diameters (SoD) of target lesions (taking as reference the baseline SoD) or persistence of ≥1 non-target lesions(s) and/or (if applicable) maintenance of tumor marker level above the normal limits. In some examples, the SoD may be of the longest diameters for non-nodal lesions, and the short axis for nodal lesions.

As used herein, “disease progression,” “progressive disease,” and “PD” refers to an increase in the size or number of target lesions. For example, PD may be a ≥20% relative increase in the sum of diameters (SoD) of all target lesions, taking as reference the smallest SoD on study, including baseline, and an absolute increase of ≥5 mm; ≥1 new lesion(s); and/or unequivocal progression of existing non-target lesions. In some examples, the SoD may be of the longest diameters for non-nodal lesions, and the short axis for nodal lesions.

As used herein, “overall response rate,” “objective response rate,” and “ORR” refer interchangeably to the sum of CR rate and PR rate. For example, ORR may refer to the percentage of participants with a documented CR or PR.

As used herein, “progression-free survival” and “PFS” refer to the length of time during and after treatment during which the cancer does not get worse. PFS may include the amount of time patients have experienced a CR or a PR, as well as the amount of time patients have experienced stable disease. For example, PFS may be the time from randomization to PD, as determined by the investigator per RECIST v1.1, or death from any cause, whichever occurred first. In one example, progression is defined using RECIST v1.0, as at least 20% increase in the sum of the longest diameter of target lesions compared to baseline, or unequivocal progression in non-target lesion(s), or the appearance of new lesion(s).

As used herein, “overall survival” and “OS” refer to the length of time from either the date of diagnosis or the start of treatment for a disease (e.g., cancer) that the patient is still alive. For example, OS may be the time from randomization to death due to any cause.

As used herein, the term “duration of response” and “DOR” refer to a length of time from documentation of a tumor response until disease progression or death from any cause, whichever occurs first. For example, DOR may be the time from the first occurrence of CR/PR to PD as determined by the investigator per RECIST v1.1, or death from any cause, whichever occurred first.

As used herein, the term “chemotherapeutic agent” refers to a compound useful in the treatment of cancer, such as lung cancer (e.g., SCLC, e.g., ES-SCLC or LS-SCLC). Examples of chemotherapeutic agents include EGFR inhibitors (including small molecule inhibitors (e.g., erlotinib (TARCEVA®, Genentech/OSI Pharm.); PD 183805 (CI 1033, 2-propenamide, N-[4-[(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)amino]-7-[3-(4-morpholinyl) propoxy]-6-quinazolinyl]-, dihydrochloride, Pfizer Inc.); ZD1839, gefitinib (IRESSA®) 4-(3′-Chloro-4′-fluoroanilino)-7-methoxy-6-(3-morpholinopropoxy) quinazoline, AstraZeneca); ZM 105180 ((6-amino-4-(3-methylphenyl-amino)-quinazoline, Zeneca); BIBX-1382 (N8-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenyl)-N2-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-pyrimido[5,4-d]pyrimidine-2,8-diamine, Boehringer Ingelheim); PKI-166 ((R)-4-[4-[(1-phenylethyl)amino]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6-yl]-phenol); (R)-6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-[(1-phenylethyl)amino]-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine); CL-387785 (N-[4-[(3-bromophenyl)amino]-6-quinazolinyl]-2-butynamide); EKB-569 (N-[4-[(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)amino]-3-cyano-7-ethoxy-6-quinolinyl]-4-(dimethylamino)-2-butenamide) (Wyeth); AG1478 (Pfizer); AG1571 (SU 5271; Pfizer); and dual EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as lapatinib (TYKERB®, GSK572016 or N-[3-chloro-4-[(3 fluorophenyl) methoxy]phenyl]-6 [5 [[[2methylsulfonyl)ethyl]amino]methyl]-2-furanyl]-4-quinazolinamine)); a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (e.g., an EGFR inhibitor; a small molecule HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor such as TAK165 (Takeda); CP-724,714, an oral selective inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase (Pfizer and OSI); dual-HER inhibitors such as EKB-569 (available from Wyeth) which preferentially binds EGFR but inhibits both HER2 and EGFR-overexpressing cells; PKI-166 (Novartis); pan-HER inhibitors such as canertinib (CI-1033; Pharmacia); Raf-1 inhibitors such as antisense agent ISIS-5132 (ISIS Pharmaceuticals) which inhibit Raf-1 signaling; non-HER-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as imatinib mesylate (GLEEVEC®, Glaxo SmithKline); multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sunitinib (SUTENT®, Pfizer); VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as vatalanib (PTK787/ZK222584, Novartis/Schering AG); MAPK extracellular regulated kinase I inhibitor CI-1040 (Pharmacia); quinazolines, such as PD 153035,4-(3-chloroanilino) quinazoline; pyridopyrimidines; pyrimidopyrimidines; pyrrolopyrimidines, such as CGP 59326, CGP 60261 and CGP 62706; pyrazolopyrimidines, 4-(phenylamino)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines; curcumin (diferuloyl methane, 4,5-bis (4-fluoroanilino) phthalimide); tyrphostines containing nitrothiophene moieties; PD-0183805 (Warner-Lamber); antisense molecules (e.g., those that bind to HER-encoding nucleic acid); quinoxalines (U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,396); tryphostins (U.S. Pat. No. 5,804,396); ZD6474 (Astra Zeneca); PTK-787 (Novartis/Schering AG); pan-HER inhibitors such as CI-1033 (Pfizer); Affinitac (ISIS 3521; Isis/Lilly); PKI 166 (Novartis); GW2016 (Glaxo SmithKline); CI-1033 (Pfizer); EKB-569 (Wyeth); Semaxinib (Pfizer); ZD6474 (AstraZeneca); PTK-787 (Novartis/Schering AG); INC-1C11 (Imclone); and rapamycin (sirolimus, RAPAMUNE®)); proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib (VELCADE®, Millennium Pharm.); disulfiram; epigallocatechin gallate; salinosporamide A; carfilzomib; 17-AAG (geldanamycin); radicicol; lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH-A); fulvestrant (FASLODEX®, AstraZeneca); letrozole (FEMARA®, Novartis), finasunate (VATALANIB®, Novartis); oxaliplatin (ELOXATIN®, Sanofi); 5-FU (5-fluorouracil); leucovorin; lonafamib (SCH 66336); sorafenib (NEXAVAR®, Bayer Labs); AG1478, alkylating agents such as thiotepa and CYTOXAN® cyclosphosphamide; alkyl sulfonates such as busulfan, improsulfan and piposulfan; aziridines such as benzodopa, carboquone, meturedopa, and uredopa; ethylenimines and methylamelamines including altretamine, triethylenemelamine, triethylenephosphoramide, triethylenethiophosphoramide and trimethylomelamine; acetogenins (especially bullatacin and bullatacinone); a camptothecin (including topotecan and irinotecan); bryostatin; callystatin; CC-1065 (including its adozelesin, carzelesin and bizelesin synthetic analogs); cryptophycins (particularly cryptophycin 1 and cryptophycin 8); adrenocorticosteroids (including prednisone and prednisolone); cyproterone acetate; 5α-reductases including finasteride and dutasteride); vorinostat, romidepsin, panobinostat, valproic acid, mocetinostat dolastatin; aldesleukin, talc duocarmycin (including the synthetic analogs, KW-2189 and CB1-TM1); eleutherobin; pancratistatin; a sarcodictyin; spongistatin; nitrogen mustards such as chlorambucil, chlomaphazine, chlorophosphamide, estramustine, ifosfamide, mechlorethamine, mechlorethamine oxide hydrochloride, melphalan, novembichin, phenesterine, prednimustine, trofosfamide, uracil mustard; nitrosoureas such as carmustine, chlorozotocin, fotemustine, lomustine, nimustine, and ranimustine; antibiotics such as the enediyne antibiotics (e.g., calicheamicin, especially calicheamicin γ1 and calicheamicin w1); dynemicin, including dynemicin A; bisphosphonates, such as clodronate; an esperamicin; as well as neocarzinostatin chromophore and related chromoprotein enediyne antibiotic chromophores), aclacinomysins, actinomycin, authramycin, azaserine, cactinomycin, carabicin, caminomycin, carzinophilin, chromomycinis, dactinomycin, detorubicin, 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine, morpholino-doxorubicin, cyanomorpholino-doxorubicin, 2-pyrrolino-doxorubicin and deoxydoxorubicin), epirubicin, esorubicin, idarubicin, marcellomycin, mitomycins such as mitomycin C, mycophenolic acid, nogalamycin, olivomycins, peplomycin, porfiromycin, puromycin, quelamycin, rodorubicin, streptonigrin, streptozocin, tubercidin, ubenimex, zinostatin, zorubicin; anti-metabolites such as methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU); folic acid analogs such as denopterin, methotrexate, pteropterin, trimetrexate; purine analogs such as fludarabine, 6-mercaptopurine, thiamiprine, thioguanine; pyrimidine analogs such as ancitabine, azacitidine, 6-azauridine, carmofur, cytarabine, dideoxyuridine, doxifluridine, enocitabine, floxuridine; androgens such as calusterone, dromostanolone propionate, epitiostanol, mepitiostane, testolactone; anti-adrenals such as aminoglutethimide, mitotane, trilostane; folic acid replenisher such as frolinic acid; aceglatone; aldophosphamide glycoside; aminolevulinic acid; eniluracil; amsacrine; bestrabucil; bisantrene; edatraxate; defofamine; demecolcine; diaziquone; elfomithine; elliptinium acetate; an epothilone; etoglucid; gallium nitrate; hydroxyurea; lentinan; lonidainine; maytansinoids such as maytansine and ansamitocins; mitoguazone; mitoxantrone; mopidamnol; nitraerine; pentostatin; phenamet; pirarubicin; losoxantrone; podophyllinic acid; 2-ethylhydrazide; procarbazine; PSK® polysaccharide complex (JHS Natural Products); razoxane; rhizoxin; sizofuran; spirogermanium; tenuazonic acid; triaziquone; 2,2′,2″-trichlorotriethylamine; trichothecenes (especially T-2 toxin, verracurin A, roridin A and anguidine); urethan; vindesine; dacarbazine; mannomustine; mitobronitol; mitolactol; pipobroman; gacytosine; arabinoside (“Ara-C”); cyclophosphamide; thiotepa; chloranmbucil; GEMZAR® (gemcitabine); 6-thioguanine; mercaptopurine; methotrexate; etoposide (VP-16); ifosfamide; mitoxantrone; novantrone; teniposide; edatrexate; daunomycin; aminopterin; capecitabine (XELODA®); ibandronate; CPT-11; topoisomerase inhibitor RFS 2000; difluoromethylornithine (DMFO); retinoids such as retinoic acid; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids, prodrugs, and derivatives of any of the above.

Chemotherapeutic agents also include (i) anti-hormonal agents that act to regulate or inhibit hormone action on tumors such as anti-estrogens and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), including, for example, tamoxifen (including NOLVADEX®; tamoxifen citrate), raloxifene, droloxifene, iodoxyfene, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, trioxifene, keoxifene, LY117018, onapristone, and FARESTON® (toremifine citrate); (ii) aromatase inhibitors that inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which regulates estrogen production in the adrenal glands, such as, for example, 4(5)-imidazoles, aminoglutethimide, MEGASE® (megestrol acetate), AROMASIN® (exemestane; Pfizer), formestanie, fadrozole, RIVISOR® (vorozole), FEMARA® (letrozole; Novartis), and ARIMIDEX® (anastrozole; AstraZeneca); (iii) anti-androgens such as flutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide, leuprolide and goserelin; buserelin, tripterelin, medroxyprogesterone acetate, diethylstilbestrol, premarin, fluoxymesterone, all transretionic acid, fenretinide, as well as troxacitabine (a 1,3-dioxolane nucleoside cytosine analog); (iv) protein kinase inhibitors; (v) lipid kinase inhibitors; (vi) antisense oligonucleotides, particularly those which inhibit expression of genes in signaling pathways implicated in aberrant cell proliferation, such as, for example, PKC-alpha, Ralf and H-Ras; (vii) ribozymes such as VEGF expression inhibitors (e.g., ANGIOZYME®) and HER2 expression inhibitors; (viii) vaccines such as gene therapy vaccines, for example, ALLOVECTIN®, LEUVECTIN®, and VAXID®; (ix) growth inhibitory agents including vincas (e.g., vincristine and vinblastine), NAVELBINE® (vinorelbine), JAVLOR® (vinflunine), taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel, and docetaxel), topoisomerase II inhibitors (e.g., doxorubicin, epirubicin, daunorubicin, etoposide, and bleomycin), and DNA alkylating agents (e.g., tamoxigen, prednisone, dacarbazine, mechlorethamine, cisplatin, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and ara-C); and (x) pharmaceutically acceptable salts, acids, prodrugs, and derivatives of any of the above.

The term “cytotoxic agent” as used herein refers to any agent that is detrimental to cells (e.g., causes cell death, inhibits proliferation, or otherwise hinders a cellular function). Cytotoxic agents include, but are not limited to, radioactive isotopes (e.g., At, I, I, Y, Re, Re, Sm, Bi, P, Pband radioactive isotopes of Lu); chemotherapeutic agents; enzymes and fragments thereof such as nucleolytic enzymes; and toxins such as small molecule toxins or enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant or animal origin, including fragments and/or variants thereof. Exemplary cytotoxic agents can be selected from anti-microtubule agents, platinum coordination complexes, alkylating agents, antibiotic agents, topoisomerase II inhibitors, antimetabolites, topoisomerase I inhibitors, hormones and hormonal analogues, signal transduction pathway inhibitors, non-receptor tyrosine kinase angiogenesis inhibitors, immunotherapeutic agents, proapoptotic agents, inhibitors of LDH-A, inhibitors of fatty acid biosynthesis, cell cycle signaling inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, and inhibitors of cancer metabolism. In one instance, the cytotoxic agent is a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent (e.g., carboplatin or cisplatin). In one instance, the cytotoxic agent is an antagonist of EGFR, e.g., N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6,7-bis(2-methoxyethoxy) quinazolin-4-amine (e.g., erlotinib). In one instance the cytotoxic agent is a RAF inhibitor, e.g., a BRAF and/or CRAF inhibitor. In one instance the RAF inhibitor is vemurafenib. In one instance, the cytotoxic agent is a PI3K inhibitor.

The term “small molecule” refers to any molecule with a molecular weight of about 2000 daltons or less, preferably of about 500 daltons or less. In some instances, a small molecule is any molecule with a molecular weight of 2000 daltons or less, preferably of 500 daltons or less.

The term “patient” refers to a human patient. For example, the patient may be an adult.

The term “antibody” herein specifically covers monoclonal antibodies (including full-length monoclonal antibodies), polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity. In one instance, the antibody is a full-length monoclonal antibody.